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Well ... Diagostics / troubleshooting is a methodical, step by step process starting with the simple and obvious so nothing is left out. Skipping around trying this and that can sometimes waste a great deal of time and produce no results.

If you object to the simple router solution ... I would suggest to you to start from the beginning, unplug the xbox and xp computer, maybe even temporarily the Internet access, reboot the computer and follow Microsoft's tutorial on how to set up Internet Connection Sharing, step by step. When you have ICS setup, and you have Internet access, then connect the XP computer and configure it to use ICS for XP for its Internet access. Step by step.

A couple more things for you to tick off the "Yes I've done that" list.

On the Host connection properties, ensure that 'Client for Microsoft Networks' is installed and ticked.

In the IPv4 properties, check the alternate configuration and advanced button and ensure that there is no residual infomation in DNS, gateway or wins. Also check on your Dad's PC that the default gateway has the automatic metric ticked.

Try to disable IPv6 and test with just IPv4 (noet that Wins should be set to default for this).

I've attached a checklist for basic file sharing it might be worth just checking it over for anythng useful.

If your Dad's PC has more than one NIC, disable all except the one with the crossover cable

Try temporarily dissabling firewalls on both to rule out a firewall issue.

Ensure both PC's are in the same workgroup and have different computer names

As an after thought, there should probably be only one DCHP server on the network (i.e. the host with ICS enabled).I would turn off DHCP on your modem/router/server if you haven't already and set the IPaddress on the host manually (static) on the NIC that connects to the default gateway. Ensure that there are no IPaddress conflicts but put the gateway-NIC in the same subnet (unless you are bridging).

There are no residual numbers in the properties and Client is there and checked. I have tried unchecking ipv6(also did just now) with no results. How do I confirm W7 is set to default to ipv4? His PC only has one onboard NIC and I actually have Firewall very disabled on both computers through admin. tools > services.

To be honest the IP setup confuses the hell out of me. The only setup I've gotten ANY results from is the one in my first post. Youre saying I can leave the XP machine set to auto and only define IP's on mine? If both machines are set to auto, would that mean they're both trying to run DHCP servers? Instead of one defaulting to 'incoming' so to speak?

I have the fa311 also and mine is constantly sending and never receiving too. I read that Windows 7 does not accept a whole lot of Windows XP drivers? The only drivers available for the fa311 are from XP.

There are no residual numbers in the properties and Client is there and checked. I have tried unchecking ipv6(also did just now) with no results. How do I confirm W7 is set to default to ipv4? His PC only has one onboard NIC and I actually have Firewall very disabled on both computers through admin. tools > services.

In your Windows 7 computer open your Network ans sharing center and click on your local area connection to something like this:

Notice only IPv4 has addresses, IPv6 is not being used.

Quote: Originally Posted by 2KXJ

To be honest the IP setup confuses the hell out of me. The only setup I've gotten ANY results from is the one in my first post. Youre saying I can leave the XP machine set to auto and only define IP's on mine? If both machines are set to auto, would that mean they're both trying to run DHCP servers? Instead of one defaulting to 'incoming' so to speak?

Here is a brief I hope will help ... a router receives your ISPs Internet IP address, so to the Internet your router becomes your computer (WAN). Then the router gives each computer on your network a unique "local" IP address (192.168.x.x is only used for networking, never as an Internet address) and keeps track of each computers Internet traffic (LAN). ICS is the software equivalent of what the router (hardware) does, one of your computers connects to the Internet and becomes the router so other computers can share the connection. Configuration is the same.

I have the fa311 also and mine is constantly sending and never receiving too. I read that Windows 7 does not accept a whole lot of Windows XP drivers? The only drivers available for the fa311 are from XP.

Perhaps upgrading to a newer card?

Ethernet cards are very cheap ($5 to $10 USD) so a newer card, one from the Windows 7 compatibility web site, would definitely be a plus! Intel, 3Com, and Realtek are popular name brands.

In regards to having two DHCP on the network, I'm not 100% when it comes to ICS. It's been at least 4 years since I last set one up with a crossover cable and I'm pretty sure I used bridged networks then so that it wouldn't be an issue. A DHCP device issues the ipadresses, on a basic home network DHCP is usually issued by the modem.

You said - "Youre saying I can leave the XP machine set to auto and only define IP's on mine?" Yes I am saying that.
You Said - "To be honest the IP setup confuses the hell out of me" - The only way to learn is to dive in... and sink... then swim.
You Said - "If both machines are set to auto, would that mean they're both trying to run DHCP servers?" - Only if you checked the 'Allow other users to connect through this computers internet connection' box. This should only be ticked on the NIC that connects to the network on your PC (not on any of the crossover cable NIC's). however I theorise that if your Modem is also issuing DHCP and your computer is issuing DHCP and they are issuing in the same address range and subnet, then there are two DHCP devices on the network (this theory would need to be tested though).

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